October 18, 2010

Federal Circuit Pick Discloses Finances

Jimmie Reyna, who's been nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, took home about $340,000 last year as head of the international trade group at Williams Mullen.

Like other federal judicial nominees, Reyna (pictured at right) was required to disclose his recent income and other finances as part of the U.S. Senate confirmation process. President Barack Obama nominated Reyna last month to one of three vacancies on the Washington-based Federal Circuit.

Reyna, who works in Williams Mullen's Washington office, specializes in international trade, customs and trade regulation related to Latin America. According to his 38-page answer to a Senate questionnaire, he’s frequently appeared before the U.S. Court of International Trade, which falls within the Federal Circuit’s jurisdiction.

His partnership distribution last year was $340,220, according to his financial disclosure report. In 2008, it was $331,703. He also reported at least $15,000 in rental income from a property in Montgomery County, Md., during the period from Jan. 1, 2009, through Aug. 31, 2010.

Reyna reported a household net worth of $1.9 million, with assets including a $750,000 vacation home.

His answer to one Senate question says that his nomination started with a recommendation from the Hispanic National Bar Association, which sent a letter to Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. The association frequently recommends people for judicial vacancies, and Reyna was its national president in 2006-2007. He’s continued to be involved with the group, signing a statement (PDF) last year with other past presidents in support of the confirmation of Justice Sonia Sotomayor.